Treading that fine line between a false humility that hides God’s gifts and boastfully parading one’s good works before others is something that Elijah seems to have been able to do. Seemingly aware of his imminent ascent into the heavens and humbly not wanting Elisha to witness this amazing spectacle he requests that Elisha remain behind while he journeys on to the Jordan. With Elisha’s determined refusal he sees the hand of God in this and allows him to accompany him and witness his being taken up to heaven. This is yet another reminder that humility and self-effacement can be variants of blowing a trumpet before you—with humility becoming one’s claim to fame. As always, the rather simple solution is to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and on his will—neither hiding his gifts to us nor parading them as if they were our personal accomplishment. This is true humility!
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